But the government, the former Election Commission chairman said, might have taken into consideration his background.

“Maybe they felt I have seen a lot of things which I could use as a guide in carrying out the task,” he said at a press conference.

Abdul Rashid, who is also PPBM vice-president, said there were others who were eyeing the post, but did not elaborate.

He said this when asked if the proposals the committee outlined today would pacify his critics.

Rashid had previously been criticised for allegedly running unfair elections during his tenure as the EC chairman.

In 2013, when he signed up with Malay rights group, Perkasa, he was reported to have said that the three redelineation exercises during his term – which were done “in a proper way” – had ensured the continued political dominance of the Malays.